Apparatus for treating oil



Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

' UNI-TED STATES 1,575,663 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. VANDE- WATER AND FREDERICK R. ISTJ'NDERIISIAN, OF NEW'BURGH, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNORS TO PETROLEUM LABORATORIES INC., OF NEWBURGH, NEW

YORK, 'A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

APPAnATUs non mamme on..

Application led January 16, 1923. Serial No. 613,011.

oil whereby the molecule of oil is cracked and hydrogen is introduced result-mg 1n the production of' lighter hydrocarbons.

The invention relates to a novel and etcient method of introducing the hydrogen at a point where the decomposed hydrocarbon molecules may take on the same, and under the proper conditions. u

The invention consists in introducing the hydrogen in an Vapproximately nascent state. The hydrogen is introduced into the hydrocarbon vapors under high velocity thus causing intimate contact and impact ofthe hydrocarbon and the hydrogen molecules.

The invention is applicable to any ordinary still used for the purpose of cracking oils, and it will be found that the addition of this invention to the ordinary methods will increase production of lighter hydrocau bons above the amount produced in the ordinary still.

le have illustrated a diagrammatic outlay of a plant, but it is understood that the various parts of the apparatus may be changed as desired. In these drawings Figure 1is a diagrammatic View. of the still, rectifier and condenser, showing the point of introduction ot the hydrogen.

Fig. 2 is a detail of a satisfactory form of apparatus used in the introduction of the hydrogen to the decomposing chamber.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device of Fin. 2.

Fei'erring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 illustrates a still of'any suitable size or form heated by a furnace 2 of the usual construction, adapted to heat it. This still is provided'Wit-h a supply pipe 3 for heavy or refuse oils, through which the hydrocarbon to be decomposed passes being' heated inl its passage therethrough. The refuse or heavy oil mentioned above, should be of a quantity and quality in order to maintain a temperature in the still of not less than live hundred degrees F., upon heating. A pressure between thirty and seventy-tive pounds in the still is desirable. The hydrocarbon to be treated is supplied under pressure in any suitable manner through pipe 4 to a coil 5 which is contained within the rectiier 6. From this point the hydrocarbon passes through pipe 7, and by means of the pump 8, through the pipe 9 to the bottom of the still. The pipe 9 inside the still is preferably perforated' in order to increase the surface of the hydrocarbon acted upon. Thehydrocarbon to be cracked under action of the heat of the heavy oil into which it flows,

and the pressure maintained in the still, is

the decomposition step, the molecule is split, and Wlule in this state its carbon has a strong atlinity -for hydrogen. Hydrogen is introduced into the dome 10 by means of an iron coil or pipe 15 passing through the tire box,

through which steam is made to pass with the result that a reaction occurs in the coil or tube 15 andfhydrogen is produced. The hydrogen enters the dome 10 under high velocity. As a result of this action the brokendown molecule of hydrocarbon satisfies its free bonds by taking on hydrogen.

From the dome 10 the cracked vaporv passes to the pipe 11 and from thence to the rectifier 6, where the heavy vapors are condensed by reason of the cool hydrocarbon entering through the coil 5, the lighter uncondensed vapors passing through the pipe line 12 to the condenser 13 from which the condensate may pass to a suitable fractionating apparatus. An outlet 14 on the rectifier will allow the heavier hydrocarbon condensed therein to be removed and which condensate can be re-introduced through supply pipe 4 into the system if desirable.

Referring to Fig. 2, We have illustrated a satisfactory combination of elements for the intermingling of the hydrocarbon vapors and the hydrogen, which consists of a supplemental chamber 16 Within the dome 10, which is `provided with valve "seats 17 through which the flow of hydrocarbon vapor is controlled as by valves 18. Arr

vide hydrogen nozzles 19 so that a stream of cracked hydrocarbon vapor and a stream of hydrogen under high velocity, iinpinge at one point with great force and impact, which produces the desired result. Any excess hydrogen passes over with the cracked hydrocarbon vapor and may be recovered beyond the condenser, if found desirable.

What We claim is:-

A device of the character described, including a still body having a dome, a supplemental chamber Within the dome having a series of diametrically opposed Valverl openings therein, one set of opposed openings being connected to a gas supply, the other set of openings communicating with the still body.

In testimony whereof, we aix our signatures.

FRANK C. VANDE WATER. FREDERICK R. SUNDERMAN. 

